Belmont raises tobacco buying age from 18 to 19

BELMONT, Mass. (WHDH) -- A local town voted to change the legal age you can light up.

The Belmont Board of Health voted this week to raise the age to buy tobacco from 18 to 19 years old.

It’s all part of an effort to keep cigarettes out of school.

A local business owner said he understands what the new law is about, but is skeptical this will make a difference.

“It’s the town's decision and I’m sure whatever they decide is good for the town. You can’t stop the kids. Wherever they smoke, they are going to smoke. No matter what,” said Kaleem Ahmad.

The law won't take effect until august first.

Belmont is not the only town in Massachusetts to pass such a law.

in Needham, the age is 21, and in Brookline, it's 19.